Projects required by governmental codes or policy are not eligible for this program. . These types of programs are typically offered at the local level. Rather than using grass as the default groundcover thats only walked on when its mowed, implementing a statewide rebate program will show that Utah is serious about conservation, Cox said. The division has partnered with the Central Utah, Jordan Valley, Washington County and Weber Basin Water Conservancy Districts to increase program awareness, increase funding and develop program requirements. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. deductible, Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. And can he win? With the dramatic decline of the Great Salt Lake and repeated pleas from state leaders to conserve water in the ongoing mega-drought, people have remarked at the high cost of replacing landscaping with drought-friendly turf. "Instead of having a lot of grass, maybe only have 10% of your lawn be grass? Spencer Cox speaks about water conservation during the current drought at the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. Turf buyback programs like " Flip Your Strip " incentivize people to replace thirsty grass with waterwise options. Weve seen significant reductions in water usage across the state. Deidre Henderson participated in a Monday ceremonial signing of the water bills, with Cox musing that he knew for sure the bills and money this year significantly outpaced anything that been done in water law and funding in at least more than a decade and probably in state history. Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. This article about skijoring is sponsored by the Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau. What is skijoring? The Jimenezes have already recorded some water savings. #utleg #utpol . Lawmakers are already planning on using $280 million of federal COVID-19 relief money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to improve Utahs water infrastructure. Weve taken the guesswork out of it for you with our ready-made plans. 06 Feb 2023 19:59:44 Additional program rules will also require adoption of the following ordinance for a city to remain eligible for incentives: With the exception of Washington County, the statewide landscape rebate program will be facilitated through utahwatersavers.com. Communities within these districts service areas should work with their district to adopt qualifying landscape standards. Other water-related action taken by Utah this year include: Cox and others stressed the need to do even more as Utah continues down this path of unprecedented drought. Statewide turf buyback program Outdoor water use makes up about 60% of our municipaland industrial water use. We need to expand this over the next few years. Some local water districts have already started offering money for "flip your strip" programs designed to get rid of wasted grass on parking strips. Everybody thinks about grass and gardens, but there are a lot of other uses too, he said. The program, authorized by the Utah State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to launch in the spring. "They loved how the project has come out. Cox hails generational effort in Utahs water law history, What happened after a governor asked his state to pray for rain, Anatomy of a drought: How the West may change for decades to come, How bad is the Western drought? SB 110 Requires a water use and preservation element to be part of a municipal or county general plan. Applicants must be participating voluntarily. Maybe its because our stories are so similar, I wasnt worried about ChatGPT until I tried ChatGPT. Residents in these areas are eligible for rebates. So many Utahns are doing their part to save water, which is fantastic, but theres much more we can do.. Lambs ears and Coreopsis are pictured in the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. (Utah State Capitol. This year, though, Utah became the first in the nation to implement a statewide turf buyback program. Previously converted park strips do not qualify for this program at this time. Residents in areas that have adopted qualifying landscape standards are eligible for state rebate funding. Weve scoured the web for you and narrowed down a few of our favorite Christmas dinner ideas to make your planning easy. All new state facilities in Utah may be required to have less than 20% turf. All Rights Reserved, How can people save water in drought? This drought has caused all of us to reevaluate how we conserve and motivated us to do more, Gov. In cases where metering is already happening, the savings have been as much as 30%. She and members of the city council have called for a review all of St. George's ordinances and policies with an eye toward water savings. 54 is a bill that is being considered that would eliminate the sales tax on food purchased in the state. You have 6 months after your application to complete your park strip project. Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District. Officials and advocates spoke in favor of the bill. Whats next for Utah in wake of leaked SCOTUS draft abortion decision? The Washington County Water Conservancy District told FOX 13 it is considering a "turf buyback" program to incentivize people to move toward drought-friendly landscaping. This program would be for front yards, back yards or any other "non-functional" grass. Information on the district-level programs and others can be found on the Utah Water Savers site. Heres what to expect. H.B. Choose from the dishes weve highlighted to plan your meal or start brainstorming your own meal plan a couple of weeks before to make sure you have time to shop and prepare. They tore out turf and replaced it with native plants and rocks. Spencer Cox speaks about water conservation as Lt. Gov. . We really want to use grass in places where it makes sense. The largest share goes toward agriculture, which accounts for more than 72% according to figures from the United States Geological Survey. Personal Data: various types of Data as specified in the privacy policy of the service. HB 121 appropriated $5 million for statewide turf buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide rebate program. If we can cut back on that, weve already had substantial savings. This year, Utah's legislature passed bills that mandated water metering for landscaping, created a statewide turf buyback program, and set limits on turf at new state-owned buildings. "They have actually expressed even wanting to get rid of their grass so I think its been a positive thing.". Request a pre-conversion site visit. Its saving water," she said. As water managers warn of worst on record drought, what do people think should be done to save water? Trees will not be considered in density calculations. The biggest hurdle will be selling lawmakers on the idea. Communities can work with either a partner water district or the division to adopt landscape standards that qualify for the statewide program. Heres the one word you cant say in a room full of Republicans, 106 wild horses have died in Colorado. City Manager Jon Call said normally the use of any culinary water outside is strictly prohibited, but a shortened irrigation season is requiring flexibility to be built into the system. This year the event will be held from January 27-29 at the Utah Bear Lake State Park Marina and Sunrise Resort and Event Center in Garden City, Utah. GET REBATES: Water conservation resources for Utah residents. Like Cox, Ferry emphasized the critical factor of collaboration. State officials say don't start killing your lawn quite yet, though they encourage you to just do the bare minimum of recommended watering. Try these game day snacks to make watching football at home with your family feel like a special occasion. With Utah being the second driest state in the nation and in the grip of a protracted drought, Cox said all new development should be accompanied by waterwise landscaping and cites should shelve ordinances that require curbside turf or other mandates. Clerk of the House. The state will pay for up to 50 percent of the cost. The state passed a bill trying to change that. It is unclear exactly how much water goes toward agricultural use as the Utah Divison of Water Resources says it mostly relies on estimates. Deidre Henderson, Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Brian Steed, St. George Mayor Michele Randall, Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District General Manager Bart Forsyth, Central Utah Water Conservancy District Water Conservation Manager Ricky Maloy and others attended the announcement at the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy Districts Conservation Garden in West Jordan. Qualifications: You must live in a qualifying city (see the list below). As for now, there is no standardizaton of turf buyback in Utah, or anywhere else in the country. Turf buyback . Sign up for our TownLift Daily Newsletter and get today's top local news stories in your inbox. Cox also said there are fewer wildfires burning in Utah in recent weeks, despite the increased danger from dry conditions. Cash rewards and plan reviews will be given for landscaping projects that meet program . The program, authorized by the Utah State Legislature earlier this year, is expected to launch in the spring. The full statewide program will launch through utahwatersavers.com in spring 2023. "No, we dont," he chuckled. Alice Foote of West Jordan touches lavender as she tours the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. House/ received bill from Legislative Research. Depending on where you live, there are different rebates that can be offered. "Grass is not the enemy. This will be the first statewide turf buyback program in the United States, with an expected rollout in the fall. These requirements include waterwise landscape standards for new residential developments. The governor also said all secondary water systems should be metered. Program funding is available statewide. In one month, Kari said, they had 14,000 less gallons of water used than the previous year. "Youve got a lot of churches with lots and lots of lush, grass that nobody even steps on. Localscapes Rewards. 350 North State, Suite 320 PO Box 145115 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114; Telephone: (801) 538-1408 https://senate.utah.gov; Contact a Senator Utah has reduced its per capita water use by 25% since 2000, and the state is committed to implementing additional, more aggressive water conservation programs. $16.00 hourly. You can register at UtahWaterSavers.com and plug in your address, finding local discounts on things like smart controllers for sprinkler systems, low-flow toilets and discounts on landscaping. This year, Im getting quite nervous as we have had multiple months without the water we need.. Bill Numbered but not Distributed. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. How do we make that fair? Sandall asked. ", Kari said she would have liked to have gotten some money to "help with offsetting material and that type of stuff.". State Facility Water Conservation (HB121), Washington County Water Conservancy District site. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints new temple location, Opinion: How to handle the final game of your childs basketball career, No deal on bill to eliminate signature gathering, bill yanked from committee, Proposal would give first-time Utah homebuyers $20,000, Eli Lilly to cut insulin prices, cap costs at $35 for many people with diabetes, All-Star Weekend sting operation leads to child exploitation arrests. We want our kids to play on it and our dogs," Hasenyager said. The federal government stopped states from removing people from Medicaid during the pandemic, but that's changing now. Projects that replace lawn with artificial turf are not eligible. Tasked the division with making state agency conservation data . TownLift is a web and mobile-based Entertainment & News media outlet providing Park City and Summit County Utah with Breaking Local News & Community Updates. The city's famed golf courses have made changes with an eye toward water savings. Humans have put the future of hippos at risk, Wests megadrought delivers another blow: Saving Glen Canyon Dam. It would be nice to see them replacing that with xeriscape," Mayor Randall said. Receive up to $1.25 per square foot for replacing the lawn in your park strip with a water-efficient design. Read all of our stories atgreatsaltlakenews.org. HB 121 appropriated $5 million for statewide turf buyback, making Utah the first that offers a statewide. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. A previous version of this story incorrectly listed Rep. Val Petersons last name as Iverson. The bills, which will be . A water conservation bill currently in the Legislature would also require the state to reduce outdoor water use. The state passed a bill trying to change that. Across the state there are multiple cities that have enacted various restrictions or taken other measures to cope with the effects of this drought. Cox's plan is to become a trailblazer nationwide for the reduction of water use on turf landscapes by implementing a statewide program. Max Peck of West Jordan runs through the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District garden in West Jordan on Thursday, July 29, 2021. Governor warns water restrictions could come early with 90% of Utah in extreme drought, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall issued a drought advisory. Turf buyback programs like Jordan Valley's . 1/18/2022. We have encouraged all of our departments within Weber County to investigate ways to conserve water, he said, adding the ice rink is one of the countys larger consumers. Utah governor wants to buy back your lawn, Utah lawmakers took good first step on environment worries, Baby, its dry outside: How the drought is affecting Utah. Coming up with the right plan can be the ultimate challenge. SALT LAKE CITY The state legislature approved a $5 million rebate program for residents that remove their grass. The Jimenezes' neighbors have admired the landscaping project and expressed an interest in doing it themselves. Spencer Cox said Thursday. I understand why they may want to use water more, but I think the restrictions we have been given are still enough to keep our yards from completely drying out, she said. Rebate checks will be issued to the name on property's water bill. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and []. "We still have a little bit of grass here, but we plan to eliminate the rest of that and continue with the desert landscape," Kari Jimenez said, showing FOX 13 News her new landscaping. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Are we overreacting about the future of Twitter? Roughly $100 million of that is already going toward implementing water meters on secondary water systems statewide. By switching out grass that isn't used, Utahns can conserve significant amounts of water. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. In Sandy, the community has saved more than 234 million gallons of water the equivalent of 359 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Extreme drought has highlighted the need for Utah to stretch the water supply and look for ways to improve efficiency. The St. George couple did not get any rebates or incentives to do it, but spent the past two years slowly replacing their lawn because they wanted to conserve water. Require the state there are different REBATES that can be the first statewide turf utah turf buyback program program maybe only have %! 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